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2007 Federal Outlook and Budget Timetable
Voices will advocate on behalf of Ohio’s children at the federal level in 2007 due to the incredible impact the federal government has on children’s programs. Because federal dollars are the largest funding source for child care in Ohio and the rules and regulations attached to those dollars determine the shape of the program, federal advocacy is critical. Congress must be educated on the requests, challenges and successes that states and local communities experience with regard to child care in order to make economically responsible decisions for children.
Because issues are interconnected and multi-issue advocacy helps ensure success, there are several issues that will be central to our work in 2007 at the federal level. They include:- State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization
- Federal budget deliberations
- Food Stamp Program (included in the reauthorization of the larger Farm Bill Reauthorization)
- IV E Reauthorization
State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization -- We will work with our delegation in Washington and with Governor Strickland to ensure that this program, which has helped the State of Ohio to extend health insurance coverage to 939,000 children in our state who would otherwise be uninsured, is renewed and expanded to prevent funding shortfalls that are predicted over the next several years if the program maintains current funding levels. This bill will first be considered in the Senate Finance Committee before it will go to Senate Floor. Since the present reauthorization expires on September 30, 2007, these actions are expected to occur before then, although exact timing will be decided by the Finance Committee Chairman and Senate leadership.
Federal budget deliberations -- We will continue to advocate for children’s programs which are funded in the federal budget and are vitally important to children and their families. The table below illustrates the 2007 federal budget process. This table identifies many points during the year when important budget decisions are being made, as well as identifying opportunities when grassroots, media and direct advocacy will be most effective.
Food Stamp Program -- We will engage our delegation and educate the public on the reauthorization of the food stamp program which provides over 1 million Ohioans with nutritional assistance, including 495,000 Ohio children that experience food insecurity. The Agriculture Committees in the House and Senate will be working on the reauthorization of the Farm Bill this year. This reauthorization will also be due by September 30 and action on it will be at the discretion of the Committee Chairmen and the leadership in each chamber.
IV E Reauthorization -- Funding provided under Title IV E currently provides over 27,000 Ohio children with foster care and adoptive services where there would otherwise be none. This program will be up for reauthorization this year in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and will then need approval by the full House and Senate. Consideration of the legislation is expected in June or July of 2007.
MONTH | KEY STEPS IN BUDGET PROCESS | POSSIBLE ADVOCACY STEPS (depending on circumstances & resources) | FEB. | Monday, February 5: President’s budget released Congress holds hearings on budget Committees prepare “views and estimates letters” that tell the Budget Committees what they think of the President’s budget proposals Senate district work period: Feb. 19-23 (House calendar hasn’t been announced yet) | - LETTERS: Send letters to the congressional delegation highlighting concerns about the President’s budget (e.g. deep discretionary cuts, unaffordable tax cuts).
- GOVERNORS: Meet with governor’s staff & state legislators to discuss the impact of the President’s budget on the state and its budget. Ask them to send letters to the delegation making recommendations for the congressional budget.
- CONGRESS:
- Request a meeting with your Senator(s) and/or House Members during the district work period to educate them about the impact of the federal budget on your state. [Note: meeting requests must be submitted well in advance.]
- Set up conference calls with LDs and/or budget LAs.
- Arrange for budget questions to be asked at congressional town hall meetings.
| MAR. APRIL | Budget Committees could act as soon as the week of 3/5.
Full House and Senate votes possible the week of Mar. 12 The resolution will include:- total for discretionary spending
- targets for revenues and entitlement spending
The resolution could also include:- “reconciliation instructions” to cut entitlements and/or taxes (although unlikely)
- budget process changes such as reinstating the “pay-as-you-go” rule
Senate district work period: Apr. 2-9 | - MEDIA: Brief press (reporters, editorial writers, columnists) on the House & Senate budget resolutions and key issues for the state.
- COALITION: Brief your coalition on the House & Senate budget resolutions and implications for your state. Discuss possible coordinated activities.
- LETTERS: Send (sign-on) letters to your congressional delegation highlighting concerns about the House & Senate budget resolutions.
- CONGRESS:
- If you did not get a meeting in February, request a meeting with your Senator(s) and/or House Members during one of the district work periods to educate them about the impact of the budget on your state.
- Set up conference calls with LDs and/or budget LAs.
- Arrange for budget questions to be asked at congressional town hall meetings.
- Be prepared to respond swiftly if key amendments emerge when full House/Senate consider the budget.
| MAY JUNE JULY | Appropriations process starts, at least at the committee level. SCHIP reauthorization starts moving through the committees, possibly to the floor. Farm bill reauthorization (including food stamps) starts moving through the committees, possibly to the floor. - Possible votes on making some of the Bush tax cuts permanent (such as the “middle class” tax breaks, estate tax (costly reform, rather than full-out repeal), and Alternative Minimum Tax reform legislation.
Senate district work periods: May 28-June 1 and July 2-6 | Specific action items will depend on which bills are actually moving and what committee or amendment opportunities there might be, but this is the stage where these budget & tax decisions could start to get very specific. It will be important to educate the media, your coalition, and your congressional delegation about the impact on your state of particular discretionary programs, the importance of SCHIP and food stamps, and the harmful impact that unpaid-for tax cuts can have. Similarly, you can provide your delegation with strategic advice about critical investments you support, as well as specific information about the reauthorization of programs that are important to your state. | AUG. | Senate recess: Aug. 6-Sept. 3 | If key bills are still pending, this is a great time to get your Members to focus on your concerns – whether through direct contact, the media, or both. Call their district offices to find out when they will be back in the state (rather than on vacation or an overseas trip). | SEPT. OCT. NOV. | Any item listed as “possible” in May/June/July could happen now instead. Appropriations process continues (official deadline is October 1, but this is rarely met). | To be determined. |
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